Thousands of credit union volunteers worked to make their communities a better place Oct. 10 in commemoration of CUKind Day and CUForward Day.

The Illinois Credit Union League founded CUKind Day in 2019 as a way for credit unions to get back to their “people helping people” roots and to live the seventh cooperative principle: commitment to community.

Nearly 80 credit unions supported 395 community organizations with more than $93,000 in donations and goods in Illinois this year, thanks to the efforts of more than 2,900 volunteers throughout the state.

“I’m so proud to work in an industry that focuses on people over profits,” said ICUL President Tom Kane, founder of the event. “That mindset does more than just describe the priorities of a credit union, it is the keystone that credit unions are built around. I look at the CU Kind Day initiative as a manifestation of that mindset; it is an opportunity to show our communities how important they are to credit unions, and to the movement as a whole.”

The Michigan Credit Union League coordinated with credit unions on donations, volunteer activities, and community and educational support. Efforts benefitted organizations serving victims of domestic violence, those facing hunger and housing challenges, local libraries, and more.

In Minnesota, more than 3,000 employees, partners, and vendors from 66 credit unions and partner organizations participated in CUForward Day. They conducted large group volunteer projects, park clean-ups, food drives, contributions to nonprofits, surprising family members and friends in need, and committing random acts of kindness for others. 

CU Forward Day originated in 2013 as part of Affinity Plus’ “Plus it Forward Day,” and the Minnesota Credit Union Network began coordinating credit union participation in 2017.